Smaller, more efficient government is what I promise to focus on in Columbia

SMALLER, MORE EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT IS WHAT I PROMISE TO FOCUS ON IN COLUMBIA

The Republican primary held June 12 is the de facto election to fill the newly created House of Representative seat for District 120. I am grateful to the voters of the new district and humbled that our campaign message was so well received. Our themes of smaller, more efficient government seemed to resonate with a wide swath of the electorate.

My opponent, County Councilman Jerry Stewart, has been a friend and council colleague for many years. His campaign, and the way he conducted himself during the contest, has done nothing to diminish my respect and personal regard for this fine public servant. In truth, there was much more on which we agreed than disagreed. Our differences were largely on the means to achieve those goals about which we share a general synchronicity. Until I resign my County Council position, Jerry and I will continue to work together on the many pressing issues facing our county and region.

The primary process was greatly enhanced by the number of debates and face-to-face opportunities for voters and residents to hear and see the candidates as they articulated and defended their respective positions. Our platforms were refined and our arguments made more persuasive by the rigors of this salutary competition. The sponsors of the debates and the forums should be commended for offering the venues and organizing the various formats to bring out the full spectrum of opinions and policy commitments of the candidates. This level of transparency has been something that Jerry and I have both worked hard to achieve on County Council.

To all my supporters and friends, new and old, who opened your living rooms to me, and shared both your attention and resources, I am grateful. Your engagement, your concerns, and your encouragement helped to shape the message I will deliver to Columbia beginning the second Tuesday of next year. Listening and learning over the last several months has given me a better understanding of what you require from state government, as well as how you wish to see the people’s business conducted. It has also helped to change my perspective from that of a county official to a state official, with an entirely new balance of challenges and opportunities.

When the General Assembly convenes the new session, I will join the newly enlarged and energized Beaufort/Jasper delegation. I will add my experience and expertise to the ongoing struggle for fairness in funding the public schools of our area of the Lowcountry. I will add my voice to the Jasper Port discussion, as well as other job creation platforms for our region. I will continue the fight for our fair share of highway and economic development dollars distributed throughout the state. I will be a strong advocate for the natural resources of our locality, as well as introduce on the state level, those measures we have had excellent success with at the county level. In addition, my insistence that good government is open government will permeate all my activity. You have told me you want your state to operate in the sunshine of openness and voluntary transparency, and I take that as my mandate.

Until such time as I am required to resign my seat on your Beaufort County Council, I will continue to strive for maximum local tax efficiency, promote openness in all we do, as well as advocate the merits of the land preservation referendum to be included on the November ballot.

Finally, please understand that a part of openness in government means that my door is always open, my phone numbers are listed and I answer and return calls. I want you to read my blog on the website, friend me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. Also, you will hear from me regularly in traditional print media, as well as see me at your civic groups and business organizations. My service is an ongoing public conversation. I sincerely invite your participation.